Industrial Hygiene

Ninyo & Moore offers expert industrial hygiene assessments, which typically involve on-site evaluations led by a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH). In most cases, workplace contaminants or physical agents are quantitatively sampled and reports prepared which summarize in clear terms the results of the evaluation and recommendations for control strategies.

Assessments typically include a client briefing, a walk-through site inspection, and interviews with on-site employees, where appropriate. Employee exposure assessments may involve real-time measurement of chemical and physical agents using direct-reading instruments as well as full-shift and task-specific personal exposure sampling. Industrial hygiene samples are analyzed in laboratories that are accredited by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). Based on analytical results, the investigators’ observations and interviews with personnel, Ninyo & Moore develops specific recommendations for exposure control strategies or remedial solutions.

Our Industrial Hygiene capabilities and experience include:

Airborne contaminant monitoring

Forensic evaluations

Hazardous building materials

Hearing conservation programs

Biological hazards assessment

Moisture and mold investigations

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) investigations

Respiratory protection program design

Asbestos and/or lead surveys

Mold and hazardous building materials abatement oversight

Asbestos and lead management plans

Personnel exposure assessments

Expert witness testimony

Noise monitoring

Radiological material surveys

OSHA compliance

Permit-Required Confined Space training and program design

HAZWOPER and specialty training

Airborne Contaminant Monitoring

A wide variety of workplace contaminants are potentially hazardous and, in many cases, employee exposure is regulated by federal or state enforcement agencies. Our industrial hygienists work under the guidance of an industrial hygienist certified in Comprehensive Practice by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene and are highly qualified to perform workplace monitoring and assessments. Certified Asbestos Consultants and Lead Project Monitors prepare site-specific abatement plans and oversee the removal of those materials. In most cases where ambient contaminant levels are assessed, workplace contaminants are quantitatively sampled and reports prepared which summarize in clear terms the results of the evaluation and recommendations for control strategies, where needed.

HAZMat Assessment/Abatement Oversight

Hazardous Building Materials generally include asbestos, lead-based paint, and PCB and mercury-containing surface compounds and devices. Ninyo & Moore has performed thousands of asbestos and hazardous building material surveys, monitoring, and abatement management for a variety of clients. We are experienced in working within the framework of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the U.S. EPA, as well as Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines.

Review of available plans or specifications for building materials present in the structures

Structural walk-through surveys, sampling or testing, as appropriate, to identify the location, type, extent, and condition of any hazardous building materials

Identification and evaluation of the potential for release and exposure to employees or workers from any hazardous building materials identified

Preparation of reports and drawings identifying the location, type, extent, and condition of the materials

Preparation of abatement specifications and assistance with contractor selection

Performance of abatement monitoring and closure documentation

Hearing Conservation Programs

Ninyo & Moore industrial hygienists are experienced in the development and implementation of hearing conservation programs. The program must see that proper monitoring and audiometric testing are performed by qualified personnel, proper hearing protection devices are identified and used, engineering controls are implemented when feasible, accurate records are reviewed and maintained, and personnel working in hazardous noise areas are properly trained. Initial assessments typically review any existing programs, and perform real-time monitoring to assess individual exposures. Appropriate action is then recommended to correct any deficiencies noted.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Investigations

Ninyo & Moore specializes in indoor mold and moisture investigations, and difficult indoor air quality issues such as building-related illness and sick-building syndrome. Certified Industrial Hygienists design the IAQ investigations and utilize the latest in sophisticated techniques and instrumentation to sort out difficult problems and offer practical solutions.

Respiratory Protection Program Design

Whenever respiratory protective equipment (including emergency use self-rescuer devices or even filtering facepieces) is mandated by an employer, a written respiratory protection and medical surveillance program must be developed and implemented. Before use, an industrial hygienist should evaluate the suitability of a respirator for any intended uses. Ninyo & Moore is experienced with designing respiratory protection programs and seeing them through to proper implementation.